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DEC  21  13 


lore 


HRY  31  IBfO 


805  7-S 


,m  Lli&dv 


V\TALL-€Mi>U*C€M€NTS  OF  TR£  CASTL£  OF  K6RQ-UftS 


^crrontfe,  tfje  innocent/ 


or, 

tfje  truest  of  tfje  <f£olbett  Pagtn  attb  ©tamottb  lame 
<£ne  of  tfje  Sources  of  Stories!  about  t be  JMp  (grail, 

0 Preton  Urgent),  after  ^oubefitre, 

b? 

Kenneth  ^pltoan  (^utfjrie. 

Comparative  literature  $ress 


182  jWonroe  Street,  Proofelpn,  Ji§9. 


All  Rights,  including  that  of  Translation  Reserved. 
Copyright,  1915,  by  Kenneth  Sylvan  Guthrie. 


<x<t  % 4 I* 

INTRODUCTION:  LOCATION  OF  KERGLAS. 


■y 

no 

4 

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cn 

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The  definite  location  of  the  Castle  of  Kerglas  was 
difficult  to  discover.  For  several  years  I asked  every 
French  and  Breton  authority  in  vain.  Even  Paul  Sebillot 
inclined  to  the  belief  that  the  whole  matter  was  an 
invention  of  Souvwestre’s.  Then  I visited  Charles  Le 
Goffic  at  Rim  Rouz  en  Tregastel;  and  he  thought  there 
were  many  Kerglas  localities,  the  name  meaning  merely 
“house  of  mourning.”  He,  however,  advised  me  to 
write  to  the  deputy  for  Vannes,  the  Marquis  d’Estour- 
billon,  at  his  Chateau  de  Porhoet,  at  Avessac;  and  from 
the  latter  1 finally  received  a letter,  forwarded  to  me 
in  America,  that  there  was  such  a manoir  at  two  miles 
from  Vannes,  on  the  Elven  road,  belonging  to  M. 
Lepan  de  Ligny,  Avenue  Mozart  109,  xvi,  Paris.  Next 
summer  (1914),  I made  several  sketches  of  it,  but 
while  doing  so,  it  became  perfectly  plain  to  me  that 
this  could  not  have  been  the  location  of  the  castle,  for 
it  was  neither  on  the  summit  of  a hill,  nor  anywhere 
near  a river.  I therefore  returned  to  the  highway,  and 
in  the  quarries  on  the  top  of  the  hill,  1 found  indeed 
ruined  emplacements  of  walls.  Later  in  the  day,  in 
search  of  photographic  reproductions  thereof,  I visited 
the  interesting  shop  of  M.  Alphonse  David,  4 rue  Emile, 
“Au  Gagne  Petit,”  where  this  gifted  artist  in  cards, 
aided  by  his  able  wife,  received  me  kindly.  To  my 
explanations  he  listened  with  incredulity;  for,  said  he, 
“I  own  part  of  those  quarries  myself,  and  I never 
heard  of  any  ruins  therein!”  I could  only  insist  that 
the  ruins  had  been  still  there  that  very  morning;  and  he 
told  me  that  the  location  was  ideal  for  the  story,  as  the 
Liziec  River  turns  around  that  hill,  and  that  beyond 
the  Liziec  was  a wood,  and  beyond  that  a pond,  and 
further  still  a rock,  and  a forest,  and  a farmhouse  or 
manoir  of  good  friends  of  his.  After  I had  partially  con- 
vinced him,  he  smiled  quizzically.  “To  think  that  you 
would  have  to  come  from  America  to  tell  me  of  ruins 
on  my  own  property,  which  are  the  location  of  a legend 
you  yourself  found  in  a book  that  I have  sold  over  my 
counter  for  twenty  years!” 


512615 


$errontfe,  tfjc  innocent 


CHAPTER  I. 

PERRONIK,  THE  “INNOCENT,”  USES  HIS 
MOTHER-WIT. 

Most  people  grow  old,  but  there  have  always  been 
some  in  the  history  of  the  world  who,  though  their 
body  grew  up,  ever  remained  young  in  heart.  Many 
are  the  causes  of  this;  some  are  physically  unable  to 
take  part  in  labor  or  war;  others  are  debarred  by  their 
sex;  some,  on  the  contrary,  merely  manage  to  preserve 
their  youth  by  love  of  nature,  the  fields  and  forests, 
the  sea  and  sky.  Then  again  others,  like  David  of  old, 
remain  young  in  heart  because  of  the  fire  of  religious 
devotion  in  their  soul;  and  some  remain  young  not 
only  because  they  love  nature  and  religion,  but  because 
of  the  influence  of  holy  people,  like  Samuel,  who  asso- 
ciated with  the  reverend  Eli;  and  the  Percival  of  the 
Holy  Grail  legends,  the  companion  of  his  sainted 
sister.  These  simple-minded  people,  however,  are  by 
no  means  fools.  They  have  a great  deal  of  mother- 
wit,  as  was  shown  by  David  in  his  fight  with  Goliath; 
when  the  simple-minded  youth  succeeded  where  all 
others  failed.  Then  again,  many  of  them,  in  times 
past,  acted  as  singers,  bards,  or  entertainers.  We 
remember  that  David  played  before  Saul,  and  by 

5 


6 PERRON1K,  THE  INNOCENT. 

youthful  cheeriness  kept  away  the  melancholy  moods 
that  darkened  that  life. 

So  in  Brittany,  the  extreme  north-western  corner 
of  France,  that  juts  out  into  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  there 
has  been,  since  time  immemorial,  a class  of  simple- 
minded  people  called  “idiots,”  or  “innocents,”  who 
were  known  by  the  white  wands  they  carried,  and  the 
large  horn-buttons  on  their  cloaks.  They  wandered 
around  the  country,  in  the  evenings  stopping  off  at  the 
nearest  farm-house,  sure  of  being  entertained  for  the 
night.  At  supper,  they  would  tell  stories,  or  retail  the 
news  of  the  country-side.  In  the  morning  they  would 
not  be  driven  out  to  work,  but  be  allowed  to  help  the 
women,  or  do  light  helpful  offices  that  required  more 
grace  and  judgment  than  muscular  effort.  When  they 
died,  they  were  sincerely  mourned,  perhaps  not  so 
much  for  themselves,  as  for  their  being  considered 
messengers  and  helpers  from  heaven. 

It  was  such  an  “innocent,”  by  name  Perronik,  who 
on  a fine  spring  day  knocked  at  the  door  of  a farm- 
house" a few  miles  north-west  of  the  dreamy  town  of 
Vannes.  The  farmer’s  wife  responded  to  his  request  for 
food  with  a bowl  of  fresh  milk.  Perronik  thanked  her, 
and  sat  down  to  enjoy  it.  “Madam,”  said  he,  “this 
milk  is  the  sweetest,  most  delicately  flavored  beverage 
I ever  tasted.  I can  almost  see  the  thyme-pasture 
where  the  cow  who  gave  it  must  have  fed.  And  you 
must  be  a splendid  housewife  to  have  kept  it  so  pure!” 
“I  do  not  deserve  much  credit,”  smilingly  answered 
the  dame;  “but  the  milk  really  is  good,  if  I do  say  it 
myself.  As  I see  that  you  are  a judge  of  such  things, 
I will  bring  you  some  of  my  cheese,  and  I would  be 
glad  to  have  you  tell  me  whether,  you  think  it  is  good.” 
So  she  brought  out  some  of  her  new  cheese,  cut  a 
generous  slice,  and  gave  it  to  Perronik.  The  latter 
tasted  it  slowly.  Then,  after  the  manner  of  persons 
who  are  delivering  a weighty  judgment,  he  shut  one 
eye,  cocked  his  head,  and  clacked  his  tongue.  “I 


PERRONIK,  THE  INNOCENT.  7 

would  not  have  believed  it  possible,”  answered  he, 
“to  find  any  cheese  that'  combines  so  much  smooth- 
ness, bouquet  and  tang.  It  is  a masterpiece,  that  the 
country-side  will  long  remember!”  and  then,  to  con- 
vince himself  still  more,  he  accepted  another  hunk  of 
it,  laid  it  on  the  brown  rye  bread,  and  chewed  it 
meditatively,  still  expatiating  on  its  merits.  “Wait  a 
moment,”  said  the  radiant  housewife.  “Wait  till  I 
bring  you  some  of  my  new  sausages!  They  will  taste 
all  the  better  after  the  cheese!”  Soon  she  came  out 
of  the  house  with  a most  luscious  specimen  of  the 
sausage-maker’s  art,  and  Perronik  had  just  given  it 
one  good  bite  when  ....  Here  is  where  our  story 
begins. 


CHAPTER  II. 

PERRONIK  BECOMES  A SHEPHERD. 

Around  the  bend  of  the  road  trotted  a large  heavy 
charger,  bearing  a knight  in  full  armor,  with  plume 
and  helmet,  shield  and  lance.  Resplendent  in  gay 
colors,  and  merrily  humming  a tune,  he  stopped  in 
front  of  the  farm-house  door,  and  condescendingly 
shouted  at  the  respectful  peasant  woman,  “Ho  there, 
woman!  Which  is  the  way  to  the  castle  of  Kerglas?  ” 
“Don’t  go  there,  my  lord,  it  is  dangerous!”  tremb- 
lingly answered  the  buxom  woman.  “Dangerous  it 
may  be!”  retorted  the  shimmering  knight,  “but  where 
else  can  I get  the  Golden  Basin,  and  the  Diamond 
Lance?”  “You  are  right,”  answered  the  woman, 
“nowhere  else  can  you  get  those;  but  what  good  will 
they  do  you,  if  you  do  not  return  ? ” “That  is  where 
you  are  mistaken,”  boasted  he.  “I  expect  to  return, 
because  I have  just  been  at  confession  to  the  holy 
hermit  of  Blauvelt;  and  with  his  parting  benediction, 
he  told  me  the  dangers  I should  meet;  and  ‘fore- 
warned is  forearmed,’  you  know!”  “Well,  if  you 
must  go,”  said  the  kindly  dame  regretfully,  “the  road 
leads  over  yonder  meadow,  and  through  that  dark 
forest!”  “Thank  you,”  said  the  knight;  and  he  was 
just  preparing  to  leave,  when  Perronik,  who,  behind 
the  safe  shelter  of  a wall,  had  been  listening  to  all 
that  had  been  going  on,  and  who,  on  seeing  the  knight 
prepare  to  leave,  concluded  he  had  nothing  to  fear,  felt 
his  curiosity  get  the  better  of  him.  “My  lord,”  cried 
he  deferentially,  “pray  tarry  a moment!”  “What  for?  ” 
cried  the  knight  disdainfully.  “Would  you  be  willing 
to  tell  us  what  were  the  dangers  of  which  the  reverend 

8 


PERRONIK,  THE  INNOCENT.  9 

hermit  of  Blauvelt  warned  you?  It  would  be  very 
interesting!”  pleaded  Perronik,  who,  with  a story- 
teller’s genuine  interest  scented  some  interesting  de- 
tails. “Do  you  feel  at  liberty  to  tell  them  to  us?” 
“Of  course!”  growled  the  noble  knight.  “Why  should 
I be  afraid  to  tell  them?  First,  I have  to  find  my  way 
through  the  Deceptive  Forest.  Then  I must  pick  the 
Golden  Apple  that  grows  on  a tree  guarded  by  a lion — 
what  chance  will  the  lion  have  with  my  shield  and 
lance?  Then  I must  get  the  Nodding  Flower  which 
grows  on  the  rock  guarded  by  the  three-headed  dragon, 
with  the  iron  ball,  with  which  he  attacks  his  enemies. 
Then  I will  come  to  the  Lake  of  the  Scaly  Monsters; 
but  what  can  they  do  against  my  armor?  Then  I 
must  ride  through  the  Forest  of  the  Sirens;  and  last, 

I come  to  the  River  of  Death.  Crossing  this,  I shall  be 
at  the  foot  of  the  mountain  on  the  summit  of  which 
is  the  castle  of  Kerglas.” 

“Thank  you,  my  lord!”  bowed  the  delighted  Per- 
ronik, and  the  scornful  knight  trotted  out  of  sight, 
shouting  his  war-cry,  and  singing  about  the  beautiful 
eyes  of  the  lady  to  whom  he  was  to  bring  back  the 
Golden  Basin  and  the  Diamond  Lance. 

Perronik  sat  down,  and  was  resuming  his  interrupted 
gormandizing  of  the  sausage  when  a distant  halloo 
apprized  the  mistress  of  the  farm-house  that  her  own 
lord  and  master,  the  farmer,  was  approaching.  She 
hastened  to  give  him  her  dutiful  greeting,  and  Perronik 
modestly  stood  up  expectantly,  to  meet  the  man  whose 
hospitality  he  sought.  He  had  not  long  to  wait  before 
the  appearance  of  the  old  man,  with  wrinkled  nut- 
brown  skin,  blue  cloth  garments,  and  large  beribboned 
black  felt  hat.  The  latter  greeted  the  “innocent”  pat- 
ronizingly, and  invited  him  to  sit  down,  which  Per- 
ronik did  without  further  ceremony.  The  farmer  then 
asked  him  whether  he  would  be  willing  to  undertake 
guarding  the  sheep  in  the  meadow,  in  exchange  for 
board  and  lodging.  Perronik  bowed  low,  and  expressed 


10  PERRONIK,  THE  INNOCENT. 

himself  as  delighted  with  the  prospect  of  employment. 
So  the  farmer  led  the  way  along  the  same  path  the 
knight  had  taken  to  the  sweet-grass  meadow,  where 
browsed  a.  flock  of  gentle  sheep.  The  farmer  whistled 
for  his  dog  to  guard  them,  while  he  himself  led  Per- 
ronik  to  the  edge  of  the  forest,  where  he  cut  down  a 
sapling  and  peeled  off  its  bark,  thus  transforming  it 
into  the  white  wand  characteristic  of  the  “innocents,” 
but  which,  at  the  same  time,  was  to  serve  as  shepherd’s 
crook. 

So  the  wandering  bard  became  a shepherd,  and  like 
all  shepherds,  ever  since  the  time  of  Abel,  he  cut  little 
reeds,  and  made  flutes  of  them,  and  whiled  away  the 
time  by  imitating  the  song  of  the  many  birds  that  made 
the  forest  vocal  from  early  dawn,  when  they  sang  their 
matin  chorus,  until  dusk,  when  once  more  they  gath- 
ered on  some  high  bushes,  and  after  a furious  orison, 
retired  to  their  secret  nests,  twittering  away  into  sleep. 
But  it  was  the  middle  of  the  day  that  Perronik  especial- 
ly enjoyed.  Then  the  sheep,  exhausted  by  the  heat, 
would  lie  down  in  cool  patches  of  shade.  Their  bells 
would  be  at  rest,  except  for  an  occasional  tinkle  when 
a lamb  would  start  in  his  dreams,  imagining  some  wasp 
that  had  dashed  itself  at  him.  The  winds  had  died 
down,  and  the  birds  were  resting  in  their  nests,  except 
for  an  occasional  chirp.  Then,  released  from  any 
anxiety,  and  even  from  his  attempt  to  call  the  birds 
to  himself  by  imitating  their  song,  he  would  go  over 
in  his  mind  all  the  wonderful  stories  he  lately  had  had 
no  opportunity  to  tell.  But  chief  of  all,  his  mind  was 
ever  haunted  by  the  gay  knight  on  the  quest  of  the 
Golden  Basin  and  the  Diamond  Lance,  in  the  castle  of 
Kerglas.  Perronik  wondered  whether  the  gay  knight 
had  succeeded  or  failed.  Softly  he  laughed  at  the 
knight’s  self-confidence;  for  who  better  than  a bard 
knew  that  pride  goes  before  a fall  ? And  if  the  opposite 
were  true,  perhaps  even  he,  the  simple-minded  “inno- 
cent,” might  yet  in  the  same  quest  succeed. 


CHAPTER  III. 


HOW  PERRONIK  STARTED  ON  THE  QUEST. 

So  the  peaceful  days  followed  each  other.  The  May 
flowers  came  out,  and  the  forest  was  filled  with  many 
perfumes,  as  the  winds  blew  from  favorite  nooks  of 
the  various  flowers.  One  day  Perronik  was  more  than 
usually  longing  to  have  a chance  to  try  those  hazards 
that  the  knight  had  told  of,  when  he  rubbed  his  eyes. 
Was  he  awake?  Was  he  in  a trance?  He  pinched 
himself — yea,  he  was  awake,  even  though  around  him 
played  all  the  colors  of  the  rainbow,  right  in  and  under 
the  shadows  of  the  trees.  Then  he  heard  loud  rustling, 
and  in  view  rode  a giant,  on  an  immense  charger,  and 
over  his  shoulder  hung  the  Golden  Basin  and  lay  the 
Diamond  Lance,  coruscating  with  all  the  colors  of  the 
rainbow,  violet,  red,  blue,  yellow,  green,  and  orange. 
Poor  little  Perronik,  of  course,  was  very  much  fright- 
ened; and  he  hid  behind  the  bush,  trembling,  until  the 
fearsome  apparition  had  passed  by.  He  was  just  about 
to  return  to  his  favorite  couch  in  the  grass,  when  he 
heard  another  irregular  rustling.  After  his  last  ex- 
perience he  quickly  ran  back  to  his  hiding  place,  but 
nothing  very  terrible  came  up  the  forest-path,  only  a 
foal,  coal-black  like  the  giant’s  horse,  indeed,  but  still 
no  more  than  a festive  baby,  nibbling  here  at  the  suc- 
culent clover,  then  running  along,  kicking  his  heels  up 
in  the  air,  and  behaving  generally  in  the  irresponsible 
manner  characteristic  of  puppies  and  kittens.  Perronik 
almost  came  out,  but  he  saw  among  the  arches  of  the 
trees  an  old  man,  with  white  hair  flowing  over  his  back, 

11 


12  PERRONIK,  THE  INNOCENT. 

while  a long  white  beard  waved  gracefully  down  to 
his  waist.  The  old  man  came  forward,  and  tried  to 
catch  the  foal;  but  the  rascal  would  let  the  old  man 
approach  till  almost  within  reach,  and  then  would  slip 
away,  and  seem  to  laugh  at  the  patriarch.  The  latter, 
however,  was  not  long  at  a loss.  He  picked  up  a stick, 
and  started  to  draw  a magic  circle  around  the  foal. 
The  latter  was  carelessly  nibbling  at  a green  shoot, 
and  looked  around  only  when  it  was  too  late  to  escape. 
Anxiously  he  hopped  around,  but  the  old  man  relent- 
lessly coiled  the  magic  line  around  him  until  the  foal 
no  longer  could  move;  when  the  old  man  jumped  on 
his  back,  rubbed  out  the  line  in  the  leaves,  and  the 
now  frightened  foal  shot  like  a bolt  through  the  green 
under-brush,  and  disappeared  so  fast  that  almost  im- 
mediately perfect  silence  once  more  reigned  around 
him. 

This  was  certainly  an  extraordinary  proceeding,  and 
Perronik  long  sat  still  thinking  it  over.  But  the  after- 
noon breezes  woke  up  the  sheep,  and  they  shifted 
towards  the  forbidden  river,  and  Perronik  had  to  run 
after  them.  Yet  he  did  not  cease  to  question  himself 
about  the  whole  course  of  events;  and  when,  during 
his  first  leisure,  which  did  not  occur  before  next  noon, 
he  again  lay  on  his  couch  of  spear-grass  in  the  shade 
of  the  bush,  he  thought  out  various  solutions.  But 
hardly  had  he  begun  to  do  so,  when  once  more  he 
noticed,  playing  about  him,  strange  scintillations,  such 
as  the  light-birds  of  a mirror  in  the  hands  of  an  inat- 
tentive boy  at  school.  Barely  had  he  time  to  retreat  to 
his  hiding  place,  before  he  was  again  almost  blinded 
by  the  rainbow  colors  streaming  from  the  Golden  Basin 
and  the  Diamond  Lance  on  the  back  of  the  giant  on 
horse-back.  And  no  sooner  had  he  passed,  than  Per- 
ronik again  heard  the  playful  colt  disporting  himself 
in  the  forest  path.  Even  at  a distance  Perronik  had 
already  noticed  the  grey  robe  of  the  white-haired  pa- 
triarch, when  suddenly  his  curiosity  spurred  him  to 


PERRONIK,  THE  INNOCENT.  13 

action.  He  picked  up  a stick,  himself  started  to  draw 
the  magic  circle  around  the  colt,  closer  and  closer,  untli 
the  colt  was  in  his  power;  and  then  Perronik  quickly 
turned  to  bar  the  passage  of  the  onward  rushing  old 
man.  “Stop!”  shouted  Perronik,  raising  his  stick  as 
if  to  defend  the  circle  he  had  drawn.  The  old  man 
halted,  but  pled  with  Perronik  to  let  him  have  his  colt. 
“No  indeed,”  exulted  Perronik,  “you  shall  not  have 
your  colt,  old  man,  until  you  have  told  me  the  mean- 
ing of  this  strange  occurrence,  the  passing  of  the  giant, 
and  your  riding  away  on  the  colt!”  The  old  man 
looked  much  relieved,  and  said,  “The  meaning  is  sim- 
ple enough.  The  giant  who  just  passed  along  is  my 
younger  brother  Rogear,  who  took  the  Golden  Basin 
and  Diamond  Lance  from  me  one  day  while  I was 
asleep;  and  with  their  possession  I lost  the  rule  of  the 
castle  of  Kerglas.  Therefore  when  he  goes  abroad  to 
visit  his  domain  and  see  to  the  safety  of  the  Golden 
Apple  and  the  Nodding  Flower,  I follow  after  him,  in 
the  hope  I may  wrest  my  property  back  from  him  in 
some  moment  of  carelessness  of  his.”  “But  why  do 
you  catch  and  ride  the  foal?”  insisted  the  inquisitive 
Perronik.  “Because  I myself  can  no  longer  return  to 
the  castle  on  foot.  My  brother  stole  the  black  horse 
away  from  me,  and  only  the  foal  knows  the  short  way 
back  to  the  castle,  or  can  take  me  safe  through  the 
Lake  of  the  Scaly  Monsters,  or  the  River  of  Death, 
even  though  I be  the  magician  Bryak!  Now  That  I 
have  answered  your  impertinent  questions,  youth,  be 
faithful  to  your  promise,  and  give  me  back  my  foal!” 
“Very  well,”  assented  Perronik,  “you  may  take  him, 
now  you  have  told  me  your  story.”  For  Perronik 
was  a story-teller,  and  he  considered  a good  story 
worth  even  a magic  foal.  So  the  old  man  rushed  upon 
the  foal,  jumped  en  him,  effaced  the  magic  circle  in 
one.  place  so  as  to  release  the  frightened  colt,  and  shot 
off  into  the  forest  even  quicker  than  the  day  before. 


14  PERRONIK,  THE  INNOCENT. 

Perronik,  too,  was  very  happy,  and  retired  to  his 
grassy  nook,  and  reviewed  again  and  again  the  charm- 
ing story.  It  was  so  full  of  wonder  and  human  interest, 
that  his  mind  flew  back  to  the  brave  knight  he  had 
seen  confidently  ride  off  on  this  quest,  which  must 
have  been  uunsuccessful.  Then  rose  up  within  Per- 
ronik, from  some  mysterious  recess  in  his  soul,  a 
thought  that  made  him  catch  his  breath.  “What  if  I 
should  now  try  my  hand  at  this  quest,  now  that  the 
proud  knight  has  failed,  and  is  out  of  it?  True,  I am 
\ only  an  “innocent”;  but  God  loves  the  innocent;  and 
' with  His  help,  perhaps,  I might  accomplish  what  was 
impossible  to  the  knight  who  trusted  alone  in  his  shield 
and  spear ! After  all,  I can  do  no  more  than  fail ; and 
should  I succeed,  the  glory  would  be  so  great,  it  would 
be  well  worth  the  risk.  Yea,  I shall  try  it.  But  I will 
need  help.  Earthly  aid  there  is  none,  for  I have  no 
armor;  and  after  all,  the  earthly  armor  of  the  brave 
knight  seems  to  have  done  him  but  little  good.  No! 
} I will  seek  help  divine;  there  lies  my  only  hope!” 


CHAPTER  IV. 

PERRONIK  CONQUERS  THE  LION. 

So  Perronik  prayed  all  afternoon,  and  towards  even- 
ing he  drove  his  sheep  into  their  cote  long  before  sun- 
set, in  spite  of  the  plaintive  objections  of  the  mother- 
sheep.  Then  he  sallied  forth  and  made  a few  prepara- 
tions; put  everything  in  a “bissac,”  or  bag  he  could 
easily  sling  over  his  shoulder,  hid  it  in  the  forest  under 
his  favorite  bush,  and  lay  down  on  his  couch  at  the 
farm  with  a prayer  for  divine  help.  During  the  night 
he  received  assurances  of  success  in  a dream;  for  he 
saw  a Hand  beckoning  him  on  to  the  Golden  Basin 
and  Diamond  Lance.  Then  he  rose  up  early,  before 
dawn;  went  out  to  the  edge  of  the  forest  where  he 
could  watch  the  sunrise,  and  prayed  again,  till  tears 
dimmed  his  sight,  and  he  swore  to  the  rising  sun  that 
he  would  start  out  on  the  great  and  holy  quest  that 
very  day.  Then  he  went  about  his  daily  duties,  and  as 
soon  as  he  had  driven  his  sheep  to  the  field,  he  lay 
down  under  the  trees,  and  listened  to  every  bird  and 
insect,  hoping  to  receive  some  helpful  suggestion  from 
them.  The  birds  came  very  near  him,  for  he  lay  quite 
still,  and  their  song  seemed  to  be  telling  him  they  would 
help  him  in  his  hour  of  need.  Then  weariness  came 
over  him,  and  he  dozed  off  into  a troubled  sleep,  from 
which  he  suddenly  started,  when  he  felt  once  more 
playing  over  him  the  scintillations  he  had  seen  the  two 
days  before.  Hastily  he  jumped  behind  the  bush,  only 
just  in  time  to  avoid  attracting  the  attention  of  the 
scowling  giant,  who,  on  that  morning,  seemed  to  be, 
if  possible,  more  ferocious  than  ever.  Then  Perronik 
anxiously  peered  down  the  forest-lane  for  the  foal. 

15 


16  PERRON1K,  THE  INNOCENT. 

This  morning  the  foal  had  strayed  from  the  forest- 
path;  and  suddenly  returned  to  it  almost  where  Per- 
ronik  stood.  The  latter  indeed  barely  had  time  to  seize 
a stick  and  start  his  magic  circle  around  the  nibbling 
equine  baby;  but  he  succeeded,  and  drew  the  circle 
closer  and  closer  till  the  foal  could  no  longer  move, 
though  he  struggled  bravely.  Perronik  had  had  to  work 
fast,  for  already  he  heard  the  frantic  shouts  of  the 
magician  Bryak,  commanding  him  to  desist.  But  Per- 
ronik jumped  on  to  the  back  of  the  foal,  effaced  a little 
part  of  the  circle,  and  just  as  Bryak  had  caught  up  with 
him,  Perronik  dug  his  heels  into  the  panting  side  of 
the  quivering  beast,  and  sped  off  into  the  forest  so  fast 
that  all  the  trees  seemed  to  fuse  into  one  long  lane; 
and  he  had  hardly  managed  to  readjust  himself,  after 
having  been  dragged  through  low-hanging  branches, 
when,  to  his  surprise,  he  saw  that  the  first  stage  of 
his  journey  was  over,  for,  in  front  of  him,  hung,  on  a 
graceful  tree,  the  Golden  Apple  of  which  he  had  been 
told. 

So  glad  was  Perronik  that  he  never  thought  of  any- 
thing else;  but  he  was  recalled  to  stern  reality  by  the 
fearsome  roaring  of  a giant  lion,  who  bounded  into 
his  path,  opened  his  ravenous  maw,  and  crouched  for 
a spring.  Now,  as  all  little  boys  and  girls  know,  “being 
good  is  a lonely  and  hungry  job.”  The  bigger  the  lion, 
the  bigger  his  appetite;  and  yet  this  faithful  guardian 
of  the  Golden  Apple  could  not  hunt.  He  had  to  wait 
till  Providence  sent  him  some  food,  in  the  shape  of 
people  who  followed  the  quest  of  the  Golden  Basin 
and  Diamond  Lance;  and  they  were  few  and  far  be- 
tween. So  you  can  imagine  the  poor  animal’s  hunger, 
and  we  can  excuse  his  awful  excitement,  when  he  saw 
some  prey  riding  right  straight  into  his  jaws,  as  it  were. 

Perronik,  at  first,  was  struck  motionless  with  terror. 
But  just  then  he  heard  one  of  his  favorite  bird-friends 
singing  in  the  branches  above  him;  so  he  recovered 
himself,  and  did  some  lightning-like  thinking.  Off  he 


PERRONIK,  THE  INNOCENT.  17 

jumped  from  the  horse;  he  fell  on  his  knees,  extended 
his  hands,  in  supplication,  and  cried  out  most  humbly. 
“Please,  Mr.  Lion,  compose  yourself  for  a minute. 
Listen  to  me,  for  1 cannot  escape  you  anyway.  Now 
if  you  eat  me  up  first,  the  edge  of  your  appetite  will 
be  blunted,  and  you  will  not  be  able  properly  to  relish 
the  delicious  larks  I have  brought  you  here  in  my  bag. 
If,  on  the  contrary,  you  first  partake  of  them,  as  candy, 
you  will  enjoy  their  delicious  flavor  to  the  full.  Then, 
after  having  done  them  full  justice,  you  can  appease 
the  body  of  your  appetite  on  me,  who  cannot  escape 
you  any  more,  even  if  I tried.  Will  you  not  allow  me 
to  offer  them  to  you,  kind  Mr.  Lion?” 

Even  lions,  you  know,  cannot  resist  courtesy  and 
thoughtfulness ; and  with  an  austere  nod  the  huge  beast 
sat  down  on  its  haunches,  and  began  licking  its  chops 
in  anticipation  of  the  feast.  So  Perronik  stood  up, 
carefully  opened  the  mouth  of  his  bag,  and  held  it  up 
before  the  lion,  who  thrust  his  greedy  head  into  it. 
Hardly  had  he  done  so,  however,  when  Perronik  drew 
the  bag  all  the  way  over  it;  and  imagine  the  reason- 
able dismay  of  the  lion  when,  instead  of  larks,  he 
found  nothing  but  a mixture  of  glue  and  feathers!  Of 
course,  he  pulled  back  his  head,  but  with  the  head  came 
the  bag!  Then  he  pawed  at  it;  he  lashed  his  poor  in- 
offensive flanks  with  his  tufted  tail;  he  roared  as  loud 
as  he  could  under  the  distressing  circumstances,  he 
danced  on  his  hind  legs;  he  rolled  over;  he  bent  him- 
self double,  and  straightened  himself  out  like  a spring 
when  released;  he  rolled  himself  into  a ball;  he  dug 
himself  into  the  ground;  but  all  in  vain;  and  the  poor 
beast  would  still  be  struggling  even  till  the  present  time, 
had  not  Perronik,  after  climbing  up  the  tree  and  drop- 
ping straight  down  to  the  ground  in  his  hurry,  drawn 
off  his  bag,  jumped  on  the  foal,  and  sped  away,  while 
the  poor  misguided  lion  was  still  trying  to  get  the 
sticky  feathers  out  of  his  eyes,  so  he  could  see  enough 
to  settle  accounts  with  Perronik;  but  he  was  too  late. 


CHAPTER  V. 


PERRONIK  OUTWITS  THE  UNSLEEPING 
DRAGON. 

So  Perronik  sped  through  the  forest  till  he  came  up 
flat  against  a rock.  His  late  experience  made  him 
a little  more  thoughtful;  and  he  remembered  that  the 
Nodding  Flower,  that  grew  here,  was  guarded  by  a 
hellish  dragon,  with  four  eyes  and  an  iron  ball,  with 
which  he  crushed  his  opponents.  Every  six  hours  one 
of  the  four  eyes  would  close  in  slumber,  relieving  the 
others,  so  the  dragon  was  awake  day  and  night,  and 
there  was  no  hope  of  overcoming  him  while  off  his 
guard.  This,  indeed,  was  a puzzling  proposition,  and 
Perronik  gingerly  picked  his  way  without  making  a 
noise  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  rock.  Even  this  very 
light  noise  had  wakened  the  other  three  eyes  of  the 
hellish  dragon;  and  Perronik  was  in  as  great  trouble 
as  possible.  So  he  tied  the  foal  where  it  could  browse 
in  sweet  clover,  and  Perronik  threw  himself  down  on 
the  grass,  and  started  to  think.  So  Perronik  thought, 
and  thought,  and  thought;  but  no  solution  came  to 
him.  In  despair  he  gave  it  up,  and  fell  to  enjoying 
the  forest  scenery,  and  relapsed  into  his  favorite  occu- 
pation, that  of  listening  to  the  birds.  Now  if  you  were 
listening  to  birds,  could  any  boy  or  girl  keep  from 
imitating  them  ? So  Perronik  grew  tired.  Then,  hop- 
ing to  get  some  suggestion,  he  peeped  over  the  rock 
at  the  hellish  dragon,  who  lay  coiled  in  his  lair  beside 
the  coveted  flower.  Of  course,  Perronik  expected  to 
see  the  hellish  dragon’s  first  eye  asleep,  as  it  should 

18 


PERRONIK,  THE  INNOCENT.  19 

have  been.  But  imagine  Perronik’s  surprise  on  seeing 
the  second  eye  also  about  to  close;  the  eyelid  fluttered, 
and  finally  came  to  a rest  in  complete  repose.  At  first 
Perronik  could  not  account  for  this;  but  he  remem- 
bered how  the  eyes  of  the  sheep  in  his  pasture  at  home 
behaved  exactly  like  that  when  he  had  been  whistling 
particularly  well.  At  first  he  dismissed  the  thought 
as  absurd ; but,  on  reflection,  he  decided  that  he  could 
prove  the  point  by  making  an  experiment  on  the  third 
eve.  So  he  lay  back  and  whistled  the  best  he  knew. 
Never  had  he  made  such  runs,  such  trills,  such  ca- 
dences, such  rhythms,  such  melodies.  First  you  might 
have  thought  he  were  a lark,  then  a whippoorwill,  then 
a canary,  and  finally  a nightingale.  He  would  listen 
to  the  birds  above  him,  and  improve  on  their  bursts 
and  pleadings.  Then  he  looked  over  the  rock  again, 
and  indeed,  the  third  eyelid  of  the  hellish  dragon  was 
fluttering  down,  just  like  that  of  a sleepy  pussy.  A 
few  more  calls  like  that  of  the  finch  to  his  mate,  and 
the  eye  was  closed,  watching  the  phantasmagoria  of 
its  dreams. 

Perronik  was  beside  himself  with  joy.  “This  is 
easy!”  almost  shouted  he  to  himself!  So  he  settled 
himself  down  once  more,  and  started  to  whistle  better 
than  ever.  Indeed,  he  whistled  so  marvelously,  that 
he  surpassed  even  the  birds  whom  previously  he  had 
merely  imitated.  The  birds,  who  before  had  listened 
to  his  efforts  with  friendly  condescension,  now  became 
envious.  They  fluttered  angrily  about  him,  and  tried 
to  drown  his  efforts,  by  a chorus  louder  even  than  that 
they  sang  at  dusk  and  dawn.  But  Perronik  only  prof- 
ited by  their  efforts,  because  in  improving  on  the  sug- 
gestions they  thus  offered,  he  sang  so  much  better 
than  they  that  finally  their  hearts  wilted  within  their 
little  ruffled  breasts,  and  they  grew  still,  hungrily 
drinking  in  the  magic  melodies  they  heard.  Then  for 
the  first  time  Perronik  reached  his  supreme  skill  in 
whistling.  Even  the  insects  paused  on  the  golden 


20  PERRONIK,  THE  INNOCENT. 

flowers;  the  bees  stopped  humming,  and  poised  them- 
selves gracefully  on  the  buttercups. 

But  Perronik  never  forgot  he  was  whistling  for  a 
purpose;  and  once  more  he  peeped  over  the  rock,  and 
to  his  great  delight  he  saw  the  hellish  monster’s  fourth 
eye-lid  fluttering  just  as  the  former  eye-lids  had  done. 
So  Perronik  whistled  more  gently  and  drowsily,  like 
the  twittering  of  birds  when  disturbed  by  dreams,  in 
their  sleep ; and  then  the  fourth  eye  closed  with  a snap, 
and  for  the  first  time  in  his  long  life  the  hellish  monster 
was  entirely  asleep.  You  may  well  believe  that  it  did 
not  take  Perronik  very  long,  noiselessly,  to  leap  over 
the  rock,  and  pick  the  Nodding  Flower.  He  fastened 
it  in  his  cap;  picked  up  his  bag,  swung  it  over  his 
shoulder,  vaulted  onto  his  impatient  foal,  and  off  they 
sped,  showing  a clean  pair  of  heels  to  the  wakened 
monster  who  stirred  uneasily,  as  if  feeling  something 
was  wrong,  hissing  hellishly,  out  of  mere  natural  spite. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


PERRONIK  ESCAPES  THE  SCALY  MONSTERS. 

But  Perronik,  by  this  time,  was  far  and  away;  and 
nothing  stopped  him  till  he  came  to  the  Lake  of  the 
Scaly  Monsters.  Now,  as  often  happens  with  dangerous 
or  forbidden  things,  this  dangerous  lake  was  exceed- 
ingly beautiful.  The  blue  sky  was  reflected  in  its  still 
waters,  and  the  willows  by  the  side  seemed  to  bend 
down  lovingly  to  touch  their  perfect  reflection  in  the 
slimy  depths  of  the  treacherous  pool.  Perronik,  how- 
ever, had  not  much  time  to  contemplate  all  these 
beauties,  for  by  this  time,  the  foal  was  not  only  tired 
but  hungry;  and  when  Perronik  sought  to  guide  the 
foal  around  the  lake,  the  foal  impatiently  jumped  right 
in  and  swam,  so  as  to  get  home  the  sooner.  At  first 
all  went  well;  and  Perronik  was  enjoying  the  unusual 
view  when  his  horrified  gaze  fixed  on  a circle  of  still 
water,  around  which  was  a fringe  of  boiling  waves. 
Then,  out  of  the  tranquil  pool  he  saw  rising  horny 
scales,  and  then  what  he  recognized  as  an  opening 
maw.  Imagine  the  maw  of  a crocodile,  but  as  big  as  a 
whale;  then  you  will  forgive  brave  Perronik  for  going 
all  white,  and  trembling.  The  ferocious  row  of  teeth 
rose  in  air;  the  water  began  to  flow  into  the  enormous 
black  hole.  A current  set  in,  and  in  spite  of  all  the 
efforts  of  the  plucky  foal,  Perronik  felt  himself  surely, 
if  slowly,  drawn  in  to  the  monster’s  maw.  In  his 
extremity  he  prayed.  A bird  darted  over  him,  and 
uttered  a piercing  shriek,  that  reminded  him  of  when 
he  had  had  to  protect  the  lambs  when  a hawk  sailed 

21 


22  PERRONIK,  THE  INNOCENT. 

overhead.  Then  he  remembered  something  he  had  in 
his  bag.  He  reached  in,  and  pulled  out  a black  bean 
which,  for  safety’s  sake,  he  had  had  the  good  parish 
priest  bless  for  him,  the  evening  before  his  departure. 
This  Perronik  threw  right  into  the  yawning  abyss. 
Now  this  scaly  monster  was  not  a holy  scaly  monster; 
and  therefore,  when  he  felt  the  blessed  bean  tickling 
his  soft  palate  he  felt  like  vomiting,  and  in  mighty 
eructations  that  looked  like  waterspouts,  he  tried  to 
eject  the  bean,  which  had  stuck  in  the  hairs  on  his 
inner  throat.  Unfortunately,  however,  just  as  hap- 
pens to  a boy  or  girl  who  in  eating  fish  swallows  a 
bone  that  sticks  in  the  throat,  all  the  branches  and 
sticks  which  had  easily  gone  down  along  with  the 
swirl  of  water,  now  were  turned  side-wise;  they  stuck 
in  his  gills,  and  the  more  the  beast  regugitated,  the 
more  he  choked.  Finally  he  grew  green  in  the  face, 
flapped  his  monstrous  fins,  turned  a somersault  in  the 
air,  uttered  a plaintive  yowl,  and  careening  over  on 
his  back,  he  gave  up  his  wicked  ghost.  This,  however, 
caused  a whirlpool  in  the  water,  and  Perronik  who 
was  circling  around  in  the  maelstrom,  was,  by  the 
last  tidal  wave,  driven  onto  the  opposite  shore.  The 
brave  little  foal,  feeling  under  his  little  hoofs  firm 
ground,  snorted  and  shook  the  slimy  water  out  of  his 
eyes  and  mane.  Then  he  braced  himself,  galloped  up 
the  slope,  and  dashed  for  the  shelter  of  the  forest. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

PERRONIK  ESCAPES  SIRENS. 

No  doubt  he  would  have  been  going  still,  had  he 
not,  with  a sudden  jolt  that  almost  made  Perronik 
come  a cropper,  stood  still.  Especially  because  his 
hairs  were  wet,  did  they  look  strange  as  they  began 
to  stand  straight  in  horror,  as  the  foal  gazed  on  in 
stupefaction.  There  lay  a heap  of  skeletons  of  brave 
knights,  whose  armor  was  strewn  around  in  confusion. 
Evidently  this  was  the  most  dangerous  of  all  the  haz- 
ards of  the  quest;  knights  who  had  escaped  all  former 
dangers,  still  had  here  fallen  before  the  fatal  charms 
of  the  enchanted  sirens  that  infested  these  sylvan  re- 
treats. Indeed,  through  the  aisles  of  the  forest  Per- 
ronik described,  approaching  forms  of  beautiful  women, 
golden-haired  and  starry-eyed,  waving  their  arms  in 
greeting,  and  chanting  weird  threnodies.  What  was 
the  unfortunate  Perronik  to  do?  Lions,  hellish,  drag- 
ons, and  even  scaly  monsters  could  be  resisted;  but 
what  proper-mindeci  youth  can  resist  the  fair  charms 
of  a lovely  woman?  Alas,  I fear  my  story  will  have 
to  end  here;  there  seems  no  earthly  rescue  for  our 
simple-minded  “innocent.” 

Perronik  himself  realized  this;  and  so  he  betook 
himself  to  prayer.  Then  suddenly  an  idea  popped  into 
his  mind.  Just  as  the  swish  of  the  sirens’  silken  gar- 
ments began  to  becloud  his  reason,  just  as  their  per- 
fume made  his  head  whirl,  and  buzz,  as  chloroform 
would  have  done,  an  inspiration  came  into  his  mind. 
He  reached  up,  and,  in  spite  of  velvet  hands  that  clung 

23 


24  PERRONIK,  THE  INNOCENT. 

like  ivy-vines,  he  pulled  the  cap  on  his  head  down  just 
far  enough  to  reach  over  his  eyes.  Perronik  being 
thus  blinded,  the  sirens  were  powerless  over  him;  and 
digging  his  heels  into  the  sore  ribs  of  the  only  too  will- 
ing foal,  Perronik,  without  ever  stopping,  was  carried 
through  the  shady  groves  of  the  sirens;  and  not  till 
his  foal  stopped  still  with  a jerk,  and  his  nose  apprised 
him  of  the  presence  of  a large  body  of  water,  his  ears 
being  filled  with  the  omnious  rushing  of  a river,  did 
Perronik  dare  to  push  up  his  cap  far  enough  to  see 
that  he  had  left  the  sirens’  grove  far  behind,  and  was 
standing,  by  the  side  of  a bush,  on  the  very  bank  of 
the  rapidly  rolling  River  of  Death,  on  the  further  side 
of  which  loomed  up  before  him,  not  so  very  far,  the 
noble  mountain  bearing  the  castellated  outline  of  Ker- 
glas  itself! 

He  must  cross;  that  was  sure,  but  how?  Of  course, 
Rivers  of  Death  have  no  bridges  or  even  fords;  or  of 
what  use  would  they  be?  What  indeed  was  our  hero 
to  do  ? So  puzzled  was  he,  that  he  would  be  standing 
there  till  the  present  moment,  but  for  a most  unusual 
occurrence.  From  behind  the  bush  sprang  a beautiful 
lady,  dressed  in  black  silk,  but  with  a complexion  as 
yellow  as  sulphur.  Perronik  would  indeed  have  re- 
treated before  her,  but  she,  like  a wise  woman,  did 
not  give  him  the  time.  She  jumped  up  on  the  foal 
before  him,  and  reached  for  the  reins.  Here  is  where 
Perronik’s  presence  of  mind  reasserted  itself.  He 
clutched  them  tight,  and  only  when  she  saw  that  she 
had  no  more  to  gain  by  boldness  that,  like  many  an- 
other haughty  dame,  the  lady  became  as  meek  as 
butter,  and  as  persuasive  as  honey.  She  told  him 
that  she  knew  that  he  was  on  the  quest  of  the  Golden 
Basin  and  the  Diamond  Lance;  that  he  could  not  get 
it  alone;  but  that  if  he  had  the  Golden  Apple  and  the 
Nodding  Flower,  and  would  ferry  her  over  the  River 
of  Death  which  she,  unaided,  could  never  cross,  she 
would  help  him  in  his  quest.  While  Perronik  had  his 


PERRONIK,  THE  INNOCENT.  25 

doubts  about  the  lady,  nevertheless,  because  he  had 
always  been  trained  to  be  polite  to  ladies,  he  agreed 
to  take  her  over.  She,  on  her  part,  did  not  lose  any 
time,  but  urged  the  willing  foal.  He  jumped  into  the 
icy  water,  and,  in  spite  of  shivering,  the  brave  little 
beast  swam  valiantly  on,  never  stopping  until  he  had 
safely  reached  the  opposite  bank.  Fearful  that  the 
foal  might  take  cold  by  standing  still  on  leaving  the 
freezing  water,  Perronik  urged  him  on,  and  the  equine 
trotted  up  the  hill  as  fast  as  he  could,  neighing  in  an- 
ticipation of  the  oats  he  knew  were  awaiting  him  in 
the  stables,  beside  his  mother,  the  giant’s  black  charger 
who,  on  her  part,  must  be  anxious,  by  this  time,  for 
her  offspring’s  safety.  So  the  horse  climbed  rapidly 
to  the  gate  of  the  frowning  castle,  where  both  Per- 
ronik and  the  lady  dismounted,  and  the  foal  trotted  off 
by  himself,  neighing  and  capering,  to  the  stable. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


PERRONIK  ACHIEVES  HIS  QUEST. 

Our  two  travelers  entered  into  the  castle’s  gate, 
which,  strange  to  say,  they  found  open.  They  entered 
into  the  courtyard,  but  neither  there  did  they  discover 
anybody,  knight  or  servant.  So  the  Yellow  Lady  led 
Perronik  to  the  main  entrance,  and  up  the  steps,  still 
deserted,  into  the  vast  dining  hall  of  the  castle.  Here, 
seated  at  the  festive  board,  sat  only  two  individuals, 
the  giant,  Rogear,  and  by  his  side  his  hoary-haired 
brother,  the  magician  Bryak,  at  a lower  table. 

Now,  of  course,  golden  apples  and  fair  ladies  have 
ever,  since  the  beginning  of  time,  been  the  prey  of 
giants,  and  who  can  blame  giants  for  having  the  good 
taste  to  consider  them  designed  for  their  special  bene- 
fit? Therefore  Rogear  the  giant,  with  a vertiginous 
leap,  pounced  upon  Perronik.  Rogear  reached  out  for 
the  Golden  Apple;  but  as  he  bit  into  it,  he  sank  into 
a seat,  because  it  was  poisoned;  and  as  he  lay  hold  on 
the  willowy  lady,  he  fell  down  stark  dead;  for,  be  it 
known,  she  was  nothing  less  than  the  “Plague”! 

You  can  easily  imagine  that  Perronik  did  not  dally 
near  her.  Swiftly  pulling  the  Nodding  Flower  out  of 
his  cap,  he  observed  in  which  direction  the  flower  nod- 
ded. So  he  followed  it  through  a large  door,  down  a 
hall,  to  a stairway;  down  this  to  the  lower  floor;  then 
by  a winding  passage  into  the  vaults.  Past  an  iron 
door  he  went  into  a cave.  Following  a stream,  in 
which  he  waded,  he  came  into  a vast  amphitheatre, 
glistening  with  salt-formations,  in  the  light  of  sun- 


PERRONIK,  THE  INNOCENT.  27 

rays  that  filtered  through  some  cracks.  Then  he  fol- 
lowed the  flower’s  directions  into  a passage  so  narrow 
he  had  to  crawl  on  hands  and  knees;  but,  at  last,  he 
arrived  into  a chapel;  and  on  the  high  altar,  between 
ever-burning  candles,  lay  the  Golden  Basin  and  the 
Diamond  Lance! 

Perronik  pounced  upon  them;  but  he  was  in  such 
a hurry  that  the  Diamond  Lance  knocked  on  the 
Golden  Basin,  emitting  a peal  as  clear  as  that  of  a 
sacring-bell.  When,  however,  Perronik  came  to  him- 
self, he  found  himself  back  in  the  meadow,  among  the 
sheep  he  had  so  long  neglected,  with  the  Golden  Basin 
hanging  on  his  back,  and  the  Diamond  I ance  in  his 
hand. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

PERRONIK  BECOMES  KING  OF  JERUSALEM. 

Now  it  is  evident  that  no  one  who  possessed  the 
Golden  Basin  and  the  Diamond  Lance  would  ever  be 
willing  to  remain  a shepherd.  Therefore,  after  giving 
the  mother-sheep  a parting  pat,  and  kissing  his  favorite 
lambs  farewell,  Perronik  turned  off  on  to  the  highway, 
and  betook  himself  to  the  picturesque  town  of  Vannes. 

Now  it  chanced,  as  happens  in  all  well-regulated 
fairy-tales,  that  the  king  of  Vannes  had  a beautiful 
daughter.  At  the  same  time,  however,  he  was  being 
pressed  very  hard  by  his  enemies  who,  so  far,  had 
driven  back  all  his  armies,  and  defeated  all  his  generals. 
In  desperation,  the  king  had  made  a proclamation  that 
any  one  who  would  overcome  his  enemies  should  have 
the  beautiful  daughter  to  wife,  and  become  king  in  his 
stead.  On  entering  into  Vannes,  Perronik  read  the 
proclamation,  and  asked  to  be  led  to  the  king’s  palace. 
Having  arrived  there,  he  asked  for  an  audience  with 
the  king.  Only  with  great  difficulty,  however,  did  he 
succeed  in  obtaining  it.  Then  the  king  laughed  at  Per- 
ronik, who  offered  to  accomplish  this  feat;  for  Perronik 
was  still  garbed  as  an  “innocent,”  with  white  staff  and 
horn  buttons.  Perronik,  however,  offered  to  give  a 
demonstration  of  his  powers.  He  touched  the  king 
of  Vanne’s  best  knight,  who  immediately  fell  down  in 
his  tracks,  stone  dead.  Then,  Perronik  poured  some 
of  the  water  of  the  golden  basin  into  the  dead  knight’s 
mouth,  whereupon  he  revived,  as  full  of  life  and  spirits 
as  ever,  finishing  the  word  he  had  had  on  his  lips 

28 


PERRONIK,  THE  INNOCENT.  29 

when  he  fell  dead.  The  king  of  Vannes  was  convinced, 
and  entrusted  all  his  armies  to  Perronik.  The  latter, 
of  course,  in  the  might  of  the  Golden  Basin  and  the 
Diamond  Lance,  was  victorious  over  the  embattled 
hosts  of  the  enemy,  and  reduced  them  to  abject  sub- 
mission. Leading  their  chieftains  in  chains  to  the 
palace  of  the  king  of  Vannes,  the  latter  gave  him  his 
blushing  daughter  to  wife,  and  set  Perronik  upon  his 
throne,  himself  retiring  to  meditation  in  a monastery. 

Although  Perronik  was,  for  a short  time,  happy  as 
husband  of  his  marvellously  beautiful  wife,  and  as 
king  of  the  good  town  of  Vannes;  who  could  expect  the 
owner  of  the  Golden  Basin  and  the  Diamond  Lance 
to  be  satisfied  with  being  king  of  even  Vannes,  that 
beautiful,  and  famous  city?  So  Perronik  demanded 
the  crown  of  France.  Leading  his  ever-victorious 
armies,  Perronik  succeeded  even  in  this,  and  finally 
was  crowned  king  of  France,  and  reigned  in  Paris. 

But,  although  for  a brief  space  of  time,  Perronik 
was  happy  as  king  of  France,  the  owner  of  the  Golden 
Basin  and  the  Diamond  Lance  could  not  be  expected 
to  be  satisfied  with  even  that  dignity.  He  must  become 
emperor  of  Rome.  And  indeed,  leading  his  ever- 
victorious  armies,  Perronik  achieved  this  supreme 
dignity  also. 

Still,  though,  for  a short  space  of  time  Perronik  was 
content  with  the  dominion  of  the  empire  of  Rome,  it 
would  be  unreasonable  to  suppose  that  the  owner  of 
the  Golden  Basin  and  the  Diamond  Lance  could  ever 
grow  satisfied,  or  cease  to  sigh  for  more  worlds  to  con- 
quer. So  Perronik  started  out  to  conquer  Palestine, 
liberate  it  from  the  hated  rule  of  the  Saracen.  At  the 
head  of  his  ever-victorious  armies,  indeed,  Perronik 
accomplished  this  task  also,  and  was  crowned  king  of 
Jerusalem. 


30  PERRONIK,  THE  INNOCENT. 

But,  strange  to  say,  Perronik  was  never  heard  of 
again.  His  fate  ever  remained  a mystery;  but  the 
best-informed  say  that  one  day,  while  he  was  asleep, 
the  old  magician  Bryak  deprived  him  of  the  Golden 
Basin  and  the  Diamond  Lance,  and  hid  them  again  in 
the  mountain  beneath  the  castle  of  Kerglas,  where 
they  remain  hidden,  until  they  shall  once  more  be 
found  by  some  younger  Perronik  who  shall  restore  to 
Brittany  her  rightful  sovereignty  over  the  world. 


